Why Volunteer ?

• Doing volunteer work should always be because you want to be a volunteer and for no other reason.
• It is never done so you you can boast about it, add it to your résumé, …
• Remember, adding the fact that you help others to a résumé may be useful, but :
• only if you can justify why you did it. Obviously, not because you wanted it on your CV !
• if you have been willing to undertake any training required;
• if you have put into practice any training you have received;
• it has been ongoing, not a one week wonder;
• you must be able to show that it has some relevance, much less important than the previous points. However, perseverance, commitment and personal skills used can be of value.
• In essence, you should only do voluntary work for the right reason. You volunteer to help others. If you gain some benefit in your chosen profession, that is simply a bonus.
• Consider each situation carefully. Know exactly what is involved, whether it be fully paid periods up to 2 years in length, or self-funded involvement for as little as a few weeks or a month. Be sure you :
• can commit time and effort on an ongoing basis where this is required;
• can afford any costs involved;
• feel safe and secure in possible situations where you are likely to find yourself;
• are willing to undertake any relevant training. Voluntary activities such as SES, counselling [e.g. Lifeline, Youth Centres], Bush Fire Brigades, as well as interpersonal activities, require you to undertake extensive, often ongoing training;
• are suited to the particular activity e.g. if you cannot handle stress, do not get involved in activities which create it;
• are also able to take rejection. Interestingly, not everyone who volunteers is accepted, especially in areas which require particular skills and/or commitment. Sometimes less than two thirds are accepted and there can be a drop out rate during training. If you are genuinely committed and willing to do what is asked, then obviously this is less likely to occur.
• Note, these points do not really refer to one off volunteering, even though these have value, e.g. Clean Up Australia Day, badge selling, … . If you want to be involved in these, go for it.
• To Recap :
• if the reasons are right - go for it !
• if you are willing to commit the time, effort and learning required - go for it !
• if you are willing to make an ongoing commitment - go for it !
• if you are only doing it for a perceived career benefit and are not genuinely committed - forget it !

Remember :

• Employers are not generally stupid - they will know whether you are serious or whether you are trying to earn brownie points;
• More importantly - you will be wasting your own time and the time, effort and goodwill of others and this must not happen.

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Some people find the job they really want by starting as a volunteer. Sites below will assist you in finding a volunteer position in Australia. There are many others on the internet and in the print media.

• Review items listed under Why Volunteer ?.
• Australian Volunteer Search
• Conservation Volunteers
• FIDO
• Getting Involved in Your Community
  ‘Register your skills and preferences on these volunteer databases.’
• Global Volunteer Network
• Go Volunteer
• Green Corps
  ‘Green Corps provides young people with the opportunity to volunteer their time and effort to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.’
• Holidays With Purpose
• Landcare Australia
  ‘More than 4 000 volunteer community landcare groups - including bushcare and urban landcare, rivercare, coastcare and sustainable agriculture groups - are tackling land degradation in every corner of Australia.’
• ProBono Volunteer Match
  Matching volunteers and non-profit organisations.
• Seek Volunteer
• Volunteering NSW
• Volunteers
  ‘This section [of the Workplace site] has a range of information about volunteering and community work.’
• Volunteer Search
  Within Australia. Additional related links.
• VISE
  [Volunteers for Isolated Students’ Education]
  ‘VISE volunteers provide educational assistance to families and students in rural Australia. We also provide domestic and personal support in the case of emergencies or when respite is necessary.’

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Volunteering takes many forms from fully paid periods up to 2 years to self paying involvement for as little as a few weeks or a month. Clarify everything to know exactly what is involved. The following provide potential international experiences.

• Review items listed under Why Volunteer ?.
• Agriventure
  Mid-length stays on farms in America and Europe. Some farming experience suggested.
• Antipodeans
  Short term placement for the young [17-24]. Teach English to primary aged children in developing countries.
• Australian Volunteers International
  Longer placements, shorter youth placements.
• Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development
  ‘The AYAD program places skilled young Australian volunteers, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments in developing countries throughout Asia and the Pacific.’ Further information can be gained from Ausaid.
• Conservation Volunteers
  Volunteering in the conservation area in Australia and overseas.
• Cross-Cultural Solutions
  ‘Volunteer Abroad — work side-by-side with local people and experience another culture.’
• Earthwatch
  Work on 150+ projects around the world. This is the Australian home page.
• EcoVolunteers
  Work with the ecology at various sites. You pay. The money goes to the project.
• Global Vision International [GVI]
  ‘Make a difference to some of the world’s most critical conservation and community projects with Global Vision International. Join challenging expeditions as diverse as marine conservation in Mexico and the Seychelles, community development in Mexico, high altitude exploration in Patagonia, and wildlife conservation in the Amazon, Costa Rica, South Africa and Kenya. Or volunteer with GVI’s partner organisations in over 15 countries.’
• Global Volunteer Network
  Volunteering in specific countries. New Zealand based.
• Goodcompany
  ‘Goodcompany connects skilled professionals with charitable organisations in need of pro bono assistance.’
• Go Volunteer
  Mostly in Australia. Some overseas options.
• International Volunteers for Peace
  ‘Promoting peace and justice through voluntary work. IVP provides a gateway for Australians to volunteer overseas in over 1 000 different volunteering projects across the world. IVP also organises projects in Australia.’
• i-to-i [Escape to the Real World]
  ‘Imagine a travel experience that connects you with a world you didn’t even know existed and sends you home a happier and better person. Imagine a company that brings together rich and poor, black and white, east and west, youth and experience … . Each year we enable 5 000 people to make a real difference to other people’s lives by working with vitally important projects around the world.’
• Involvement Volunteers
  ‘Involvement Volunteers Association Inc [IVI] helps you to make a difference in the world. We organise cost effective international volunteering opportunities.’
• Kibbutz
  Stay and work in kibbutzes in Israel.
• Lattitude
  ‘Lattitude Global Volunteering [formerly known as Gap Activity Projects] is an international youth volunteering organisation. We enable up to 650 young Australians aged between 17 and 25 to undertake a diverse range of international volunteer placements each year in countries as varied as India, China, Brazil and Tanzania.’
  Previously known as GAP Activity Projects.
• Red Cross
  Skills in medical, engineering and logistics areas preferred.
• SPW Australia
  ‘Volunteer with SPW and work alongside locally recruited volunteers on Health Education and Community Resource Programs in rural India, Nepal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.’
• VIDA
  ‘VIDA [Volunteering for International Development from Australia] places skilled Australian volunteers in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA volunteers work with local staff to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in the communities in which they work.’
• Volunteers for Peace
  Short term, here and overseas. Fee-based.
• World Volunteer Web
  ‘The World Volunteer Web is brought to you by the United Nations Volunteers [UNV] programme. The World Volunteer Web supports the volunteer community by serving as a global clearinghouse for information and resources linked to volunteerism that can be used for campaigning, advocacy and networking.’
• World Youth International
  Also for seniors, nine countries.

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